Reflux Laryngitis
Medical Author: John P. Cunha, DO, FACOEP
Medical Editor: Jay W. Marks, MD
Why does reflux laryngitis occur?
Reflux is caused by weakness in the muscle at the junction of the
esophagus with the stomach. Normally, this
muscular valve, or sphincter,
functions to keep food and stomach acid from moving upward from the stomach to
the esophagus and larynx. This valve opens to allow food into the stomach and
closes to keep the stomach's contents from coming back up. The backward movement
of stomach contents (gastric contents) up into the esophagus is referred to as
gastroesophageal reflux.
Additionally, any increase in abdominal pressure (such as obesity),
which can push acid back from the stomach up the esophagus, or a patient with
a hiatal hernia, will have an increased risk for reflux. When it causes
symptoms, it is referred to as gastroesophageal reflux disease (or GERD).
When the acid backs up into the voice box (larynx), the condition is referred to
as reflux laryngitis.
Stomach acid can cause irritation of the lining of the
esophagus, larynx, and throat. This can lead to:
Rarely, reflux can lead to cancers of the
esophagus or larynx.
Next: What are the typical symptoms of reflux laryngitis? »
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